Information
U of I Extension has a new program beginning. There is very limited space, so if it is something that sounds exciting, please register quickly.
Are you interested in learning about web development? You are invited to join this club and learn more about web development through HTML, CSS and JavaScript. Club members will create three projects: a simple homepage, a quiz with ASCII animation, and a text-adventure with navigation. This club is intended to help youth interested in web development learn about and practice some fundamental skills of syntax, design, and problem solving. It will help you learn to use the correct coding language to communicate with others, and to give you the independence to make decisions on your own when developing your own work.
Web Development through Games Club
Meeting Dates: every Monday and Thursday, starting September 27 through November 4. Club will meet from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Illinois Math Academy in Northwoods Mall.
The cost is $25 (includes 4-H membership fee.) If you are already a 4-H member, cost is $5. Fee waivers are available.
High School age youth invited to join.
Program partners: University of Illinois Extension, Fulton-Mason-Peoria-Tazewell Unit and Society of Women Engineers
Contact: Judy Schmidt, Extension Youth Educator, schmid7@illinos.edu
The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today the continuation of the phased restoration of in-person workforce and limited unemployment services at American Job Centers on an appointment-only basis at additional offices throughout the state. Beginning Tuesday, September 7, in-person appointments will be available at the following locations as part of another step in the phased return to in-person services:
To schedule an appointment at any of these locations, individuals should call via the IDES Scheduling Hotline at 217.558.0401 and request a callback. Appointments must be scheduled a minimum of 24 hours in advance of the appointment time. An appointment may be scheduled for one of the following reasons:
Masks or face coverings are required when entering an office. If a visitor has been experiencing any symptoms or has been exposed to someone with COVID-19 within 14 days prior to their appointment, they will be required to reschedule the appointment.
IDES will continue to reopen additional offices on a phased basis and will announce the availability of phone appointments to further assist claimants.
Claimants are strongly encouraged to use the IDES website to apply and certify for benefits, enroll in direct deposit, change passwords, engage in work search, and connect with an employment services professional, among other services. Claimants can also continue to speak with an IDES expert over the phone, by requesting a callback at 800.244.5631. As a reminder, if a callback is received at an inconvenient time, claimants may reschedule the callback for a specific time with a call center agent.
Weekly Prize for Checking Out Contest
We have started a new contest as of July 19th that we are randomly drawing two winners each week who checked out a book, DVD or magazine the week before to win a gift certificate. Please stop by to see us & if you check out an item you will be entered to win.
July 19th Jack T. $5 Palace Theatre Movie Bucks
Anthony R. $5 Jordan’s Gift Certificate
July 26th Kiera W. $5 Jordan’s Gift Certificate
William M. $5 Christ Orchard Gift Certificate
August 2nd Brody W. $5 Jordan’s Gift Certificate
Val B. $5 Simple Things Gift Certificate
August 9th Nora S. $5 Jordan’s Gift Certificate
Sara M. $5 Simple Things Gift Certificate
August 16th Melody G. $5 Jordan’s Gift Certificate
Courtni S. $5 Simple Things Gift Certificate
August 23rd Sheridan R. $5 Jordan’s Gift Certificate
Joyce M. $5 Simple Things Gift Certificate
August 30th Maddox B. $5 Jordan’s Gift Certificate
Donna P. $5 Simple Things Gift Certificate
We have started the Guess How Many Game again. Maddix C. won a $5 Jordan’s gift certificate as he had the closest guess with 1324 glass pebbles in the container. There were 1487 glass pebbles in the container. There were 57 guesses.
Annual Illinois Emerging Writers Competition Entry Forms Available
Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White announced that entry forms are available for the 15th annual Illinois Emerging Writers Competition Gwendolyn Brooks Poetry Award. The competition is open to Illinois residents age 18 and over. Entries must be postmarked by June 30. Cash prizes will be awarded for first ($500), second ($300) and third place ($100). Winning poems will be submitted for possible publication in the “Ninth Letter,” “Quiddity International Literary Journal and Public Radio Program,” and “RHINO Poetry” journals.
Entry forms.
Did you know that reading aloud is the single most important thing you can do to help children achieve academic success?
Early exposure to reading aloud has such a long-term influence on children’s outcomes that pediatricians in the United States are now required to “prescribe” reading to parents of all babies from birth! Reading aloud is in itself extremely beneficial for kids of all ages, but research shows that there are things you can do at home to support early literacy even more as you read. Here are some practical, evidence-based tips for supporting literacy from infancy through school age.
Babies & Toddlers
Include “high contrast” books in the first year. Babies’ developing brains are tasked with processing a lot of information! Since their vision is still developing, baby books with high-contrast art capture their attention most effectively. Gazing at these images allows babies’ brains to rest and helps prevent overstimulation.
Be prepared for unconventional storytimes. It’s normal for babies’ and toddlers’ attention to wander during stories. It’s okay if your toddler is active while you are reading! It’s also fine to skip pages, paraphrase or stop reading a book before you’ve finished.
Choose primarily board books. Board Books are wonderful for babies and toddlers because they withstand mouthing, which is one of the primary ways babies explore their world! The dyes in our books are vegetable-based and non-toxic, so you don’t have to worry when your little one “reads” with their mouth! Board books are also great for tummy time, which is important for building core muscle strength. You can prop them up, which gives babies a focal point.
Make reading times interactive. Books that encourage interaction are fantastic for babies and toddlers. Some interactive books ask children to seek, count or name objects. Other books ask questions for children to answer. And some books ask children to make predictions, or even play peek-a-boo! To make any book more interactive and to keep your toddler’s attention, try using a puppet as you read.
Keep a selection of books within their reach. Allow toddlers to pick their own books when possible by keeping their books stored on shelves or in bins where they can reach them.
PreschoolersCreate regular daily reading times. The #1 thing you can do to foster literacy skills in preschool age children is establish regular home reading routines. Your typical reading time could be at bedtime, at dinner or even in the bath. Of course, you can read at other times too. Establishing a routine ensures that you will make time for reading every day.
Point as you read. Point to pictures of characters and objects as you read about them in the text. This is such a simple thing to do, but it has a big impact. Showing your child the illustrations that correspond to your spoken words helps them make meaning of language and learn new concepts.
Seek out singalong books. Singalongs foster listening skills and help children learn to follow directions, which are both so important for kindergarten readiness. The catchy lyrics and music in our singalongs capture children’s attention and keep them interested for longer than they might be otherwise. Plus, moving along to singalongs helps develop gross motor skills!
Rhyme and repeat! Choose rhyming books and books with repeated text. These types of books give children the chance to “read” along with you! Pause when reading a rhyming story and allow children to complete the rhyme (“There was a mouse who lived in a . . . ”). When reading a book with repeated text, stop to let your child fill in the blanks. Reading along with you gives children confidence as “readers” and helps them build the connection between spoken language and printed words.
Ask open-ended questions when reading. The best kind of questions require children to think about why something happened or predict what might happen next. (“Why do you think the girl is sad?” “What do you think will happen next?”) As a guide, ask questions that start with “what,” “how,” “why” and “when.”
Let them choose! Research shows that literacy outcomes improve if you keep a wide variety of books on hand in your home library and to allow children to choose what they read.
School Age Children
Keep reading aloud, even after they know how to read independently! A child’s reading level doesn’t catch up to their listening level until about age 14. Reading more complex books aloud to older children improves their vocabulary and reading comprehension!
According to research, when children begin to read independently (usually between the ages of 6 and 9), their parents often stop reading aloud to them. Yet, 83% of children between the ages of 6 and 17 said they “loved it” or “liked it a lot” when their parents read aloud to them at home. Their top reason? It's a special time with their parents.
Ask about new words. Pause after reading a new vocabulary word and ask your child what they think that word means. They might be able to guess correctly, based on the context. If they don’t get it right, provide the definition.
Enjoy story collections together. Story anthologies are perfect for reading aloud to your young reader. When you read aloud, you can expose your child to more sophisticated vocabulary and plot lines than they might encounter in books at their own reading level. Read-alouds also naturally lead to discussions about the book, during which time you can check on your child’s comprehension of the story. Many of our story anthologies include an audio version of the story as well.
Opt for high quality chapter books. As parents and educators it is a real challenge to find high-quality chapter books for growing readers. Our chapter books incorporate full-color illustrations throughout. These illustrations provide reading support in the form of context clues, which allows our authors to incorporate more complex vocabulary and concepts.
Illinois Courts recently launched a new product to help connect people to the information they need to represent themselves in a court case. Illinois Court Help is a free service that library staff can recommend to patrons.
Staff and patrons can also access this Illinois Court Help Digital Toolkit for informational materials in English and Spanish. The toolkit contains ready-to-print flyers and posters and a business card librarians can share with patrons, as well as other materials such as social media content.
PROMOTIONS & EVENTSSYNC Audiobooks for Teens: Listen All Summer Long!
Get ready for summer with FREE audiobooks!
SYNC is a free summer audiobook program for teens 13+. Returning April 29th and continuing 13 weeks until August 4th, SYNC gives participants two thematically paired audiobooks a week. We encourage you to sign up today at www.audiobooksync.com. Listening Library is proud to be involved with this wonderful program once again and will be sponsoring two weeks and a total of four terrific titles this year.
MacKids School & Library
One of our most anticipated picture books of this year is Dear Librarian by Lydia M. Sigwarth; illustrated by Romina Galotta. Inspired by a This American Life episode about the power of libraries, this is the ultimate love-letter to librarians everywhere. We're celebrating Lydia's story and librarians everywhere this week by kicking off a monthlong contest where YOU can nominate your favorite librarian for a chance to win a $1,000 AmEx gift card, plus a collection of books. Nominate here!
Natalie Portman, Academy Award-winning actress and New York Times-bestselling author of Natalie Portman's Fables has been named honorary chair of National Library Week! Check out this piece to learn more about her lifelong love of libraries!
Poetry Writing Tips from Amanda Gorman
https://storage.googleapis.com/classroom-portal-production/uploads/2021/03/853d18cf-amanda-gorman_poetrytips.pdf?ref=PRH29DE00BF5E64&linkid=PRH29DE00BF5E64&cdi=23CF0FA8BA8D2BF3E0534FD66B0A902E&template_id=20577&aid=randohouseinc36206-20
Publisher's Weekly’s 2020 Person of the Year:
The Book Business Worker
Library workers
From the start of the Covid crisis, the nation’s 300,000 librarians and library workers quickly pivoted to provide new services to the reading public, including a rapid shift to digital. That shift, however, was not limited to providing more e-books and digital audiobooks. It has also meant virtual storytimes for kids, Zoom book clubs, online author events, and other digital programs and events ranging from knitting clubs to language classes. It has meant creating and marketing new programs for students and teachers as schools nationwide were forced to go remote. And it has meant boosting libraries’ Wi-Fi signals, as library parking lots have become refuges for some of the more than 20 million Americans who still lack access to broadband.
As weather improved over the spring and summer, many libraries undertook some form of curbside service, where patrons could check out books, devices, and other physical resources online and pick them up outdoors. The Denver Public Library set up an outdoor laptop rental service, allowing those without access to technology at home to sit at properly distanced tables and use library computers. And like a number of libraries, Denver used its bookmobile to bring food and other necessities to its patrons, in addition to books.
These changes have required library workers to build the proverbial airplane as it is flying, securing their own appropriate personal protective equipment, crafting and enforcing new social distancing policies, and reconfiguring libraries with less furniture, more space between computers, hand sanitizer stations, spit guards, and plexiglass dividers. Libraries now have contactless checkouts, new cleaning procedures, and materials quarantines, and have undertaken efforts like OCLC’s Project Realm, which delivered key research on how long the virus can survive on various surfaces, including wood and metal shelving, plastic CD covers, and, yes, books.
And Covid wasn’t the only major challenge librarians took on in 2020. Amid the anger, outrage, and protests that followed the killing of George Floyd, the library community stood up to acknowledge systemic racism in the U.S.—including in public libraries—and then went to work. Libraries and library organizations across the country issued statements of support for the Black Lives Matter movement, provided expanded access to racial and social justice collections, and offered safe spaces for community conversations on race and equity.
More importantly, librarians have put libraries under the microscope. “Libraries as an institution are taking a stand against systemic racism, making books about anti-racism and the African American experience available to readers—and this is good,” Carmi Parker, ILS administrator at the Whatcom County Library System in Washington State, told PW over the summer. “But libraries are also recognizing that we, like the police, are an institution embedded with systemic racism. We say that the library is for everyone, but that won’t be true until our staff, patrons, and collections reflect the populations in our communities.”
While library workers have stood up for their communities this year, they also stood up for themselves. As the Covid crisis hit, an idealized narrative of selfless hero librarians began to take root in the media. The reality on the ground, however, was grim: too many librarians and staff were being asked to work without proper protective equipment or safety precautions, were terrified of becoming sick, and were facing uncertainty and economic ruin as layoffs and furloughs mounted. Some public library workers were even ordered by their municipalities to redeploy from their closed library buildings to shelters, makeshift testing facilities, or other frontline, high-risk jobs.
“The flipside of all of these feel-good pieces on digital story time, backyard summer reading, and boosted Wi-Fi signals in the parking lot is library workers forced to do jobs they never signed up for [and] scolded for their attempts to fight for their well-being,” wrote Massachusetts librarian Callan Bignoli in a May editorial in Library Journal. “It’s time to say, ‘Not anymore.’ ”
Also honored, Publishing workers, Warehouse workers & Bookstore workers.
All In Person Library Programs and the use of the library conference room are cancelled until further notice.
Our WiFi is accessible from the street in front of the library and does not have a password at this time, so anyone who needs a connection may use it.
We have added many new links for children as they are out of school and adults under the Information tab (under more at the top of the page). There are many companies who are offering free services during the pandemic and that information is on that page or the eBook page where we have added information about eBook resources that you don't need to have a library card to access as well as new links for many great resources! To access our online resources, please see the tabs at the bottom of this page. To find information about the eBook resources our library offers click on the RSA Catalog tab. There is an explantation for each of the online resources at the bottom of this page above the tabs.
As this is an ever changing event, we will continue to monitor the directives provided by federal, state and local governments to ensure the library’s response is proactive and prioritizes public health while balancing the need for public services. Please continue to check the web site for updates. Thank you in advance for understanding as we work to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and we encourage out patrons to take measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 also. We hope everyone is staying safe and healthy during these unprecedented times.
If you have any questions, please feel to call the library at 309-742-2431 or email us at elmwoodlib@gmail.com.
What you can do to help:
Your help is greatly appreciated to help minimize the spread of disease. Here are some simple steps you can take to help.
My Library Is...
NICK OFFERMAN EXPLAINS WHY LIBRARIES ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER
In a new promotional video from the Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS), actor Nick Offerman stars as the Wizard of the World Wide Web, convening an emergency meeting of the elders of the internet.
In the video, avatars representing pop-up ads, social media and other fixtures of online life have assembled at a secret internet headquarters to discuss a grave matter: humans have realized that libraries are even more powerful than the web.
Offerman explains: Libraries have real people. They get to know you and offer reading recommendations more personalized than any algorithm. They can even tell the difference between real and fake news. He continues,“Libraries have all the information that anyone could ever need, plus real spaces, fun educational programs, meet-up groups…you can even get a flu shot at the library.
http://www.ilovelibraries.org/article/nick-offerman-explains-why-libraries-are-more-important-ever?twitter
More information can be found on My Library Is ... for Library Lovers page at https://www.mylibraryis.org/librarylovers. While there, you can take the Library Lovers Quiz!
Reminder
Children under the age of eight must be accompanied by an adult or responsible caregiver at all times while visiting the library. At this time we are not allowing children to visit without their parent(s).
The Morrison and Mary Wiley Library supports the right of all library users to access information and will not deny access to electronic information networks based solely on age. Children under the age of 10 may use the computers when a parent is present. Those over 10 must have a signed Computer Use Policy on file to be able to use the computers
U of I Extension has a new program beginning. There is very limited space, so if it is something that sounds exciting, please register quickly.
Are you interested in learning about web development? You are invited to join this club and learn more about web development through HTML, CSS and JavaScript. Club members will create three projects: a simple homepage, a quiz with ASCII animation, and a text-adventure with navigation. This club is intended to help youth interested in web development learn about and practice some fundamental skills of syntax, design, and problem solving. It will help you learn to use the correct coding language to communicate with others, and to give you the independence to make decisions on your own when developing your own work.
Web Development through Games Club
Meeting Dates: every Monday and Thursday, starting September 27 through November 4. Club will meet from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Illinois Math Academy in Northwoods Mall.
The cost is $25 (includes 4-H membership fee.) If you are already a 4-H member, cost is $5. Fee waivers are available.
High School age youth invited to join.
Program partners: University of Illinois Extension, Fulton-Mason-Peoria-Tazewell Unit and Society of Women Engineers
Contact: Judy Schmidt, Extension Youth Educator, schmid7@illinos.edu
The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today the continuation of the phased restoration of in-person workforce and limited unemployment services at American Job Centers on an appointment-only basis at additional offices throughout the state. Beginning Tuesday, September 7, in-person appointments will be available at the following locations as part of another step in the phased return to in-person services:
- Peoria | 406 Elm Street
To schedule an appointment at any of these locations, individuals should call via the IDES Scheduling Hotline at 217.558.0401 and request a callback. Appointments must be scheduled a minimum of 24 hours in advance of the appointment time. An appointment may be scheduled for one of the following reasons:
- Identity verification for an unemployment insurance claim
- Assistance registering with IllinoisJobLink.com
- Assistance documenting work search activities
- Employment services, including resume and job search guidance
- Request to use the Resource Room to use computers with internet and other resources
Masks or face coverings are required when entering an office. If a visitor has been experiencing any symptoms or has been exposed to someone with COVID-19 within 14 days prior to their appointment, they will be required to reschedule the appointment.
IDES will continue to reopen additional offices on a phased basis and will announce the availability of phone appointments to further assist claimants.
Claimants are strongly encouraged to use the IDES website to apply and certify for benefits, enroll in direct deposit, change passwords, engage in work search, and connect with an employment services professional, among other services. Claimants can also continue to speak with an IDES expert over the phone, by requesting a callback at 800.244.5631. As a reminder, if a callback is received at an inconvenient time, claimants may reschedule the callback for a specific time with a call center agent.
Weekly Prize for Checking Out Contest
We have started a new contest as of July 19th that we are randomly drawing two winners each week who checked out a book, DVD or magazine the week before to win a gift certificate. Please stop by to see us & if you check out an item you will be entered to win.
July 19th Jack T. $5 Palace Theatre Movie Bucks
Anthony R. $5 Jordan’s Gift Certificate
July 26th Kiera W. $5 Jordan’s Gift Certificate
William M. $5 Christ Orchard Gift Certificate
August 2nd Brody W. $5 Jordan’s Gift Certificate
Val B. $5 Simple Things Gift Certificate
August 9th Nora S. $5 Jordan’s Gift Certificate
Sara M. $5 Simple Things Gift Certificate
August 16th Melody G. $5 Jordan’s Gift Certificate
Courtni S. $5 Simple Things Gift Certificate
August 23rd Sheridan R. $5 Jordan’s Gift Certificate
Joyce M. $5 Simple Things Gift Certificate
August 30th Maddox B. $5 Jordan’s Gift Certificate
Donna P. $5 Simple Things Gift Certificate
We have started the Guess How Many Game again. Maddix C. won a $5 Jordan’s gift certificate as he had the closest guess with 1324 glass pebbles in the container. There were 1487 glass pebbles in the container. There were 57 guesses.
Annual Illinois Emerging Writers Competition Entry Forms Available
Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White announced that entry forms are available for the 15th annual Illinois Emerging Writers Competition Gwendolyn Brooks Poetry Award. The competition is open to Illinois residents age 18 and over. Entries must be postmarked by June 30. Cash prizes will be awarded for first ($500), second ($300) and third place ($100). Winning poems will be submitted for possible publication in the “Ninth Letter,” “Quiddity International Literary Journal and Public Radio Program,” and “RHINO Poetry” journals.
Entry forms.
Did you know that reading aloud is the single most important thing you can do to help children achieve academic success?
Early exposure to reading aloud has such a long-term influence on children’s outcomes that pediatricians in the United States are now required to “prescribe” reading to parents of all babies from birth! Reading aloud is in itself extremely beneficial for kids of all ages, but research shows that there are things you can do at home to support early literacy even more as you read. Here are some practical, evidence-based tips for supporting literacy from infancy through school age.
Babies & Toddlers
Include “high contrast” books in the first year. Babies’ developing brains are tasked with processing a lot of information! Since their vision is still developing, baby books with high-contrast art capture their attention most effectively. Gazing at these images allows babies’ brains to rest and helps prevent overstimulation.
Be prepared for unconventional storytimes. It’s normal for babies’ and toddlers’ attention to wander during stories. It’s okay if your toddler is active while you are reading! It’s also fine to skip pages, paraphrase or stop reading a book before you’ve finished.
Choose primarily board books. Board Books are wonderful for babies and toddlers because they withstand mouthing, which is one of the primary ways babies explore their world! The dyes in our books are vegetable-based and non-toxic, so you don’t have to worry when your little one “reads” with their mouth! Board books are also great for tummy time, which is important for building core muscle strength. You can prop them up, which gives babies a focal point.
Make reading times interactive. Books that encourage interaction are fantastic for babies and toddlers. Some interactive books ask children to seek, count or name objects. Other books ask questions for children to answer. And some books ask children to make predictions, or even play peek-a-boo! To make any book more interactive and to keep your toddler’s attention, try using a puppet as you read.
Keep a selection of books within their reach. Allow toddlers to pick their own books when possible by keeping their books stored on shelves or in bins where they can reach them.
PreschoolersCreate regular daily reading times. The #1 thing you can do to foster literacy skills in preschool age children is establish regular home reading routines. Your typical reading time could be at bedtime, at dinner or even in the bath. Of course, you can read at other times too. Establishing a routine ensures that you will make time for reading every day.
Point as you read. Point to pictures of characters and objects as you read about them in the text. This is such a simple thing to do, but it has a big impact. Showing your child the illustrations that correspond to your spoken words helps them make meaning of language and learn new concepts.
Seek out singalong books. Singalongs foster listening skills and help children learn to follow directions, which are both so important for kindergarten readiness. The catchy lyrics and music in our singalongs capture children’s attention and keep them interested for longer than they might be otherwise. Plus, moving along to singalongs helps develop gross motor skills!
Rhyme and repeat! Choose rhyming books and books with repeated text. These types of books give children the chance to “read” along with you! Pause when reading a rhyming story and allow children to complete the rhyme (“There was a mouse who lived in a . . . ”). When reading a book with repeated text, stop to let your child fill in the blanks. Reading along with you gives children confidence as “readers” and helps them build the connection between spoken language and printed words.
Ask open-ended questions when reading. The best kind of questions require children to think about why something happened or predict what might happen next. (“Why do you think the girl is sad?” “What do you think will happen next?”) As a guide, ask questions that start with “what,” “how,” “why” and “when.”
Let them choose! Research shows that literacy outcomes improve if you keep a wide variety of books on hand in your home library and to allow children to choose what they read.
School Age Children
Keep reading aloud, even after they know how to read independently! A child’s reading level doesn’t catch up to their listening level until about age 14. Reading more complex books aloud to older children improves their vocabulary and reading comprehension!
According to research, when children begin to read independently (usually between the ages of 6 and 9), their parents often stop reading aloud to them. Yet, 83% of children between the ages of 6 and 17 said they “loved it” or “liked it a lot” when their parents read aloud to them at home. Their top reason? It's a special time with their parents.
Ask about new words. Pause after reading a new vocabulary word and ask your child what they think that word means. They might be able to guess correctly, based on the context. If they don’t get it right, provide the definition.
Enjoy story collections together. Story anthologies are perfect for reading aloud to your young reader. When you read aloud, you can expose your child to more sophisticated vocabulary and plot lines than they might encounter in books at their own reading level. Read-alouds also naturally lead to discussions about the book, during which time you can check on your child’s comprehension of the story. Many of our story anthologies include an audio version of the story as well.
Opt for high quality chapter books. As parents and educators it is a real challenge to find high-quality chapter books for growing readers. Our chapter books incorporate full-color illustrations throughout. These illustrations provide reading support in the form of context clues, which allows our authors to incorporate more complex vocabulary and concepts.
Illinois Courts recently launched a new product to help connect people to the information they need to represent themselves in a court case. Illinois Court Help is a free service that library staff can recommend to patrons.
Staff and patrons can also access this Illinois Court Help Digital Toolkit for informational materials in English and Spanish. The toolkit contains ready-to-print flyers and posters and a business card librarians can share with patrons, as well as other materials such as social media content.
PROMOTIONS & EVENTSSYNC Audiobooks for Teens: Listen All Summer Long!
Get ready for summer with FREE audiobooks!
SYNC is a free summer audiobook program for teens 13+. Returning April 29th and continuing 13 weeks until August 4th, SYNC gives participants two thematically paired audiobooks a week. We encourage you to sign up today at www.audiobooksync.com. Listening Library is proud to be involved with this wonderful program once again and will be sponsoring two weeks and a total of four terrific titles this year.
MacKids School & Library
One of our most anticipated picture books of this year is Dear Librarian by Lydia M. Sigwarth; illustrated by Romina Galotta. Inspired by a This American Life episode about the power of libraries, this is the ultimate love-letter to librarians everywhere. We're celebrating Lydia's story and librarians everywhere this week by kicking off a monthlong contest where YOU can nominate your favorite librarian for a chance to win a $1,000 AmEx gift card, plus a collection of books. Nominate here!
Natalie Portman, Academy Award-winning actress and New York Times-bestselling author of Natalie Portman's Fables has been named honorary chair of National Library Week! Check out this piece to learn more about her lifelong love of libraries!
Poetry Writing Tips from Amanda Gorman
https://storage.googleapis.com/classroom-portal-production/uploads/2021/03/853d18cf-amanda-gorman_poetrytips.pdf?ref=PRH29DE00BF5E64&linkid=PRH29DE00BF5E64&cdi=23CF0FA8BA8D2BF3E0534FD66B0A902E&template_id=20577&aid=randohouseinc36206-20
Publisher's Weekly’s 2020 Person of the Year:
The Book Business Worker
Library workers
From the start of the Covid crisis, the nation’s 300,000 librarians and library workers quickly pivoted to provide new services to the reading public, including a rapid shift to digital. That shift, however, was not limited to providing more e-books and digital audiobooks. It has also meant virtual storytimes for kids, Zoom book clubs, online author events, and other digital programs and events ranging from knitting clubs to language classes. It has meant creating and marketing new programs for students and teachers as schools nationwide were forced to go remote. And it has meant boosting libraries’ Wi-Fi signals, as library parking lots have become refuges for some of the more than 20 million Americans who still lack access to broadband.
As weather improved over the spring and summer, many libraries undertook some form of curbside service, where patrons could check out books, devices, and other physical resources online and pick them up outdoors. The Denver Public Library set up an outdoor laptop rental service, allowing those without access to technology at home to sit at properly distanced tables and use library computers. And like a number of libraries, Denver used its bookmobile to bring food and other necessities to its patrons, in addition to books.
These changes have required library workers to build the proverbial airplane as it is flying, securing their own appropriate personal protective equipment, crafting and enforcing new social distancing policies, and reconfiguring libraries with less furniture, more space between computers, hand sanitizer stations, spit guards, and plexiglass dividers. Libraries now have contactless checkouts, new cleaning procedures, and materials quarantines, and have undertaken efforts like OCLC’s Project Realm, which delivered key research on how long the virus can survive on various surfaces, including wood and metal shelving, plastic CD covers, and, yes, books.
And Covid wasn’t the only major challenge librarians took on in 2020. Amid the anger, outrage, and protests that followed the killing of George Floyd, the library community stood up to acknowledge systemic racism in the U.S.—including in public libraries—and then went to work. Libraries and library organizations across the country issued statements of support for the Black Lives Matter movement, provided expanded access to racial and social justice collections, and offered safe spaces for community conversations on race and equity.
More importantly, librarians have put libraries under the microscope. “Libraries as an institution are taking a stand against systemic racism, making books about anti-racism and the African American experience available to readers—and this is good,” Carmi Parker, ILS administrator at the Whatcom County Library System in Washington State, told PW over the summer. “But libraries are also recognizing that we, like the police, are an institution embedded with systemic racism. We say that the library is for everyone, but that won’t be true until our staff, patrons, and collections reflect the populations in our communities.”
While library workers have stood up for their communities this year, they also stood up for themselves. As the Covid crisis hit, an idealized narrative of selfless hero librarians began to take root in the media. The reality on the ground, however, was grim: too many librarians and staff were being asked to work without proper protective equipment or safety precautions, were terrified of becoming sick, and were facing uncertainty and economic ruin as layoffs and furloughs mounted. Some public library workers were even ordered by their municipalities to redeploy from their closed library buildings to shelters, makeshift testing facilities, or other frontline, high-risk jobs.
“The flipside of all of these feel-good pieces on digital story time, backyard summer reading, and boosted Wi-Fi signals in the parking lot is library workers forced to do jobs they never signed up for [and] scolded for their attempts to fight for their well-being,” wrote Massachusetts librarian Callan Bignoli in a May editorial in Library Journal. “It’s time to say, ‘Not anymore.’ ”
Also honored, Publishing workers, Warehouse workers & Bookstore workers.
All In Person Library Programs and the use of the library conference room are cancelled until further notice.
Our WiFi is accessible from the street in front of the library and does not have a password at this time, so anyone who needs a connection may use it.
We have added many new links for children as they are out of school and adults under the Information tab (under more at the top of the page). There are many companies who are offering free services during the pandemic and that information is on that page or the eBook page where we have added information about eBook resources that you don't need to have a library card to access as well as new links for many great resources! To access our online resources, please see the tabs at the bottom of this page. To find information about the eBook resources our library offers click on the RSA Catalog tab. There is an explantation for each of the online resources at the bottom of this page above the tabs.
As this is an ever changing event, we will continue to monitor the directives provided by federal, state and local governments to ensure the library’s response is proactive and prioritizes public health while balancing the need for public services. Please continue to check the web site for updates. Thank you in advance for understanding as we work to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and we encourage out patrons to take measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 also. We hope everyone is staying safe and healthy during these unprecedented times.
If you have any questions, please feel to call the library at 309-742-2431 or email us at elmwoodlib@gmail.com.
What you can do to help:
Your help is greatly appreciated to help minimize the spread of disease. Here are some simple steps you can take to help.
- Wear a face covering your nose and mouth.
- Practice social distancing.
- Wash hands frequently using the World Health Organzation (WHO) video on hand washing. www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PmVJQUCm4E
- Practice good hygiene by regularly disinfecting frequently touched surfaces and avoid touching your face.
- Cover your coughs or sneezes.
- Stay home if you are sick or have sick family members at home.
My Library Is...
NICK OFFERMAN EXPLAINS WHY LIBRARIES ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER
In a new promotional video from the Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS), actor Nick Offerman stars as the Wizard of the World Wide Web, convening an emergency meeting of the elders of the internet.
In the video, avatars representing pop-up ads, social media and other fixtures of online life have assembled at a secret internet headquarters to discuss a grave matter: humans have realized that libraries are even more powerful than the web.
Offerman explains: Libraries have real people. They get to know you and offer reading recommendations more personalized than any algorithm. They can even tell the difference between real and fake news. He continues,“Libraries have all the information that anyone could ever need, plus real spaces, fun educational programs, meet-up groups…you can even get a flu shot at the library.
http://www.ilovelibraries.org/article/nick-offerman-explains-why-libraries-are-more-important-ever?twitter
More information can be found on My Library Is ... for Library Lovers page at https://www.mylibraryis.org/librarylovers. While there, you can take the Library Lovers Quiz!
Reminder
Children under the age of eight must be accompanied by an adult or responsible caregiver at all times while visiting the library. At this time we are not allowing children to visit without their parent(s).
The Morrison and Mary Wiley Library supports the right of all library users to access information and will not deny access to electronic information networks based solely on age. Children under the age of 10 may use the computers when a parent is present. Those over 10 must have a signed Computer Use Policy on file to be able to use the computers